St. Francis Church News

Sunday, January 19 was the Second Sunday after Epiphany, the day in the Christian calendar in which the three Kings or Wise Men came to find Jesus. Bishop Hartley noted that the word “epiphany” means the “showing forth” of Jesus to the Gentiles in the persons of the Wise Men and that the scripture lessons for the season show who and what Jesus was and how mankind should react to him. The Bishop based his sermon on the Epistle for the day, Romans 12:6: “Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given us…let us wait on our ministering.” Everyone has gifts or skills to use both inside the Christian community and outside it. St. Paul then proceeds to give advice on how to use these gifts and outlines our responsibilities in the Christian community.

After the service we gathered in the Parish Hall for another excellent meal then held our January vestry meeting in which we discussed the usual financial business as well as plans for the coming National Synod which is to be held in Prescott, AZ in May. Bishop Hartley noted that he and Mrs. Hartley had traveled 3,175 miles during the last year in connection with his responsibilities as Bishop in our parent body, the United Episcopal Church of North America.

Sunday evening I drove to Springfield for the January Operazzi program held monthly at the Creamery Arts Center. This is an “open mike” night during which local singers perform songs they have prepared and as usual I heard some very talented people perform. Also performers from the Springfield Regional Opera, which hosts the event, performed part of a children’s program which they are doing in thirty-nine different schools and libraries during the coming weeks. It is a showcase for all the talented people we have in our area.

For information on St. Francis Anglican (Traditional Episcopal) Church visit our website at stfrancisavamo.org.